10 Best Will They/Won't They Romances On TV Ranked

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Television has introduced many iconic romances over the years, but no couple can compete with the 10 will they/won’t they relationships on this list.

Janine and Gregory in Abbott Elementary, and Rachel and Ross in Friends.

One of the best parts about watching television shows is rooting for characters to get together and watching romances develop onscreen. But sometimes, relationships take a long time to build, meaning that viewers must wait many seasons for the characters to finally come to their senses and start dating. For the most part, these romances end with the two characters riding off into the sunset together, but television series love to make fans worry about their endgame, resulting in will they/won't they storylines.

Throughout the history of television, there have been an infinite amount of iconic relationships that were worth the wait. From sitcoms to drama series and everything in between, shows usually have at least one couple to root for. Even though narrowing down the list of slow-burn couples to only ten television romances isn't easy, these storylines take the cake.

10
Janine & Gregory (Abbott Elementary)

Janine and Gregory's story in Abbott Elementary is the only one on this list that hasn't reached its ending, so for that reason alone, they are ranked tenth. However, that all might change once the ABC comedy series concludes. Janine and Gregory work together at Abbott Elementary School, and they quickly formed a deep friendship after they met. It was clear that Gregory liked Janine as more than a friend, but she was in a long-term relationship, so he pushed his feelings down.

After Janine and Tariq broke up, she and Gregory grew closer. Unfortunately, although they came clean about their feelings for one another during the season 2 finale, Janine wasn't ready to be in a deep and committed relationship with Gregory. They agreed to be friends, but the future is wide open for the two characters. Hopefully, by the time the Abbott Elementary season 3 finale airs, Janine and Gregory are finally ready to act on their insane chemistry.

9
Tim & Lucy (The Rookie)

Like Janine and Gregory, Tim and Lucy's story is still ongoing in The Rookie, but they are actually in a relationship. When the ABC procedural series began, Lucy was assigned to be Tim's rookie, so their dynamic was strictly professional. However, as time went on, they formed a strong friendship, and fans couldn't help but notice the chemistry between the two characters. There was unmistakably something more between Tim and Lucy, even though a romance wasn't initially in the cards.

The good news is that the writers decided to take advantage of the present that was dropped so nicely in their laps and continue the slow burn between the couple, who fans dubbed, Chenford. After Lucy graduated from training, the sparks became more frequent between her and Tim until they finally confessed their feelings in The Rookie season 5. Tim and Lucy started dating, and hopefully, they will end up together at the end of the series.

8
Leslie & Ben (Parks & Rec)

For the first couple of seasons of Parks & Rec, the writers struggled to find the perfect match for Leslie. But that all changed when Ben (and Rob Lowe's Chris) came into town at the end of season 2. Leslie and Ben didn't get along at first since he wanted to fire her for the sake of budget cuts. But over time, Ben started to let his guard down, and the audience, along with Leslie, began to see him for the big softy and nerd he was.

Leslie and Ben couldn't have been more perfect together. Although their beginnings were rough, once they started dating (the second time in season 4), it was all over. The start of their story was filled to the brim with drama and tension, but it was smooth sailing after Ben quit his job to be with Leslie. Perhaps if their will they/won't they story in Parks & Rec was more drawn out, Leslie and Ben would be ranked higher on this list.

7
Nick & Jess (New Girl)

New Girl's Nick and Jess didn't have as easy of a time as Leslie and Ben did regarding getting together and staying together. The buildup to Nick and Jess' legendary first kiss and the development of their relationship was what made season 2 one of the sitcom's best seasons. The teasing and slow burn elements of their dynamic made it essential to tune in every week to find out if the two roommates would finally come to their senses and get together.

Nick and Jess officially began dating in season 3. But as soon as it started, it all came crashing down. They broke up and eventually found their footing as roommates and friends again. However, viewers couldn't help but wish that Nick and Jess would find their way back to one another. That day finally came during the season 6 finale, and Nick and Jess married in season 7. Almost no one (except for the six other couples on this list) did will they/won't they better than Nick and Jess in New Girl.

6
Castle & Beckett (Castle)

From the moment that Castle premiered, it was clear that Castle and Beckett had romantic tension. However, it would be a long time before they came clean about their obvious feelings for one another. Castle and Beckett's relationship was filled to the brim with tension, but they didn't start dating until season 5. The couple did experience some ups and downs after they got together, but honestly, Castle was at its best when it was teasing a romance between Castle and Beckett.

5
Luke & Lorelai (Gilmore Girls)

Gilmore Girls viewers rooted for Luke and Lorelai to be a couple from the very beginning of the show. He was the grumpy one, while she was (mostly) sunshine. However, their pasts and mutual stubbornness prevented Luke and Lorelai from acting on their feelings until the season 4 finale. Even afterward, their journey to happiness was not an easy one. Luke and Lorelai were on and off, making fans wonder if they would end up together by the time Gilmore Girls ended (spoiler alert — they did).

4
Lucas & Peyton (One Tree Hill)

While Nathan and Haley are arguably the most iconic romance to come out of One Tree Hill, they were married by the end of season 1, so they don't fall into the will they/won't they category. Lucas and Peyton, on the other hand, perfectly fit the bill. They faced numerous obstacles throughout the series — love triangles, miscommunication, teenage doubt, growing up and growing apart, etc. However, Lucas said it best: "It's you, Peyton."

Even after Lucas and Peyton finally got together in season 4, a time jump in season 5 tore them apart again. But they proved they were soulmates when they overcame every complication and heartbreak that came their way. Lucas and Peyton married and had their daughter in season 6, and they quite literally rode off into the sunset together during the finale. Nathan and Haley might be the best couple in the show, but Lucas and Peyton are a very close second — no other teen drama will ever be able to compete with the legendary romances in One Tree Hill​​​​​​.

3
Mulder & Scully (The X-Files)

When it comes to how long a television couple waited to kiss for the first time, Mulder and Scully from The X-Files are high up on that list. It took them seven seasons and 143 episodes to lock lips, making them one of the most memorable slow burn relationships in television history. Not only do Mulder and Scully fall under the will they/won't they television trope, but they are also a part of the opposites attract faction. Mulder was adamant that aliens existed, while Scully was a major skeptic. They complimented one another perfectly, and everyone cheered when The X-Files season 7, episode 4 aired.

2
Jim & Pam (The Office)

Even though Pam was engaged when The Office premiered, she and Jim had a special relationship no one could compete with. They were best friends, but their chemistry was also off the charts. Unfortunately, timing was not on Jim and Pam's side during the early seasons. He had a crush on her while she was with someone else. Then, when Jim tried to move on with Karen, Pam broke off her engagement and pined for Jim from afar.

Thankfully, by the end of season 3, Jim and Pam were both officially single, and they decided to give in to their feelings. They tried to hide their office romance when season 4 premiered, but they weren't as sneaky as they thought. Jim and Pam hit a rough patch during the final season, worrying fans that they might not end up together. However, Jim and Pam worked through their issues, and The Office ended with them as happy as ever.

1
Ross & Rachel (Friends)

No other couple but Ross and Rachel from Friends could take the number one spot on the list of best will they/won't they storylines. They will forever be one of the most iconic pairings in television history, and it all started during the pilot. Ross had a massive crush on Rachel for the entirety of the first season, and when she found out about his feelings during the finale, he moved on with Julie.

Ross and Rachel switched roles in the second season, with Rachel obsessing over Ross and Ross being happy in a new relationship. The tension was too much to take at times, thanks to drunken voicemails and messy lists. But they overcame their problems and started dating toward the middle of the season. Unfortunately, breaks and miscommunication tore Ross and Rachel apart for a long time. There were always hints that they would get back together (for example, when they had a baby), but they didn't officially start dating again until the Friends series finale.

[Merry24]

Tony & Angela -Who’s The Boss?

Reuben & Thelma- Amen

Zack & Kelly-Saved By The Bell

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Originally Posted by Merry24

Tony & Angela -Who’s The Boss?

Reuben & Thelma- Amen

Zack & Kelly-Saved By The Bell

I'm surprised that Sam and Diane on Cheers wasn't at all mentioned, since that's pretty much among the more famous "will they, won't they" romances in TV history. It seems like this list has something of a recency bias.